I could’ve titled this “7 Songs That Made Impacted Me in 2018”, but I chose songs that moved me because these were songs that had such an emotional impact that they drove me to actions which resulted in real-life change. And holy crap, I’ve had a lot of change this year.

These songs represent…

How I use music to fight depression.

How I connect with God through secular music.

How I use music to run thousands of feet of elevation on miles of rugged trails.

How music can serve as a connection to and proclamation of my identity and past experiences.

I think the beauty of music and lyric is that the combination of the two allows each listener to interpret a song differently from others. So, from Acoustic to Metal to EDM… Here are the songs that moved me in 2018, starting with the most impactful.

*To view my top played songs of 2018 playlist on Spotify, paste this into the Spotify’s search bar: spotify:user:spotify:playlist:37i9dQZF1Ejef5mNLT1PID

“I am not a perfect man, I f*** up often… I think I’ve found my place, that feeling we all chase. So where do you fit in?”

What it helped me do: Rest in peace by being grateful for the grace and forgiveness that God offers.

There’s a strong sense of belonging and community in many of the shows I go to. A lot of the heavier bands I listen to share common themes of struggling to fit in, finding your identity, and wrestling with depression and anxiety. Venues sell out, kids crowd surf and lose their voice, and bring themselves to exhaustion over the adrenaline rush of getting to CONNECT. All humans simply want to be understood. For me, this song accomplished that.

This song mentions nothing of Jesus or the gospel message, but it did cause me to remember that we don’t have to have it all together and we don’t have to fit in. Jesus loves outcasts.

Killer guitar riffs and a massive wall of sound, I first heard this song in a dark room of 500 people, live at a concert in Portland where I The Mighty was opening for Our Last Night. Waiting in anticipation as the lights and sound stir up emotion and a slight tension., a dark stage with the spotlight on the lead singer… Honest and open lyrics, with a soft voice, make his words relatable. The singer is rapidly building trust through his story.

The tension peaks and relief hits at “So where do you fit in?” Now a sense of mutual understanding and I’m fully locked into the song. I’ll let you listen to the rest and experience the song for yourself.

What it helped me do: 1) Start my mornings with high energy and intense positivity. 2) Stop caring about the looks I get and what other drivers might think while I’m rocking out in my Volvo and everyone else is still trying to wake up.

What it helped me do: 1) Practice self-affirmations verbally, on a more regular basis 2) Step into my own and grow as a worship leader at a local church

God is not only love. He is to be served, respected, and feared. I never want to forget how loved I am by my God and how he is there for me time and time again. It’s easy to get trapped in lies about who you are, if you’re not proactive in recognizing and reaffirming your identity.

There are probably a few more, but hopefully, you can relates least one of these. If you did, drop me a comment or dm me. You can find me on Instagram @Brady Winder or on Facebook. Thanks for reading!

*To view my top played songs of 2018 playlist on Spotify, paste this into the Spotify’s search bar: spotify:user:spotify:playlist:37i9dQZF1Ejef5mNLT1PID